Hot Dog Cart News

Nice, Ray! More pics at the end of the article…

Hi Steve,

I recently finished my EZ Built Cart, and am excited about starting in the Hot Dog business when the Michigan winter breaks.

Compared to some of the carts I’ve seen on Hot Dog Profits, mine is pretty basic,  but I had a great time building it.  I have very limited carpentry experience, so I am proof that anyone can build their own cart if they put their mind to it.

Your build a hot dog cart videos were well organized and easy to follow, and your Carts of Cash book has given me a head start on running a successful business.

Based on the first two products, I will be ordering the Cash Tracker system before I’m up and running.

Anyway, thanks again for providing great materials for my new venture.

Regards,
Ray T.

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Thanks for the kind words Ray. I have a great time helping folks get started in this wonderful business. Hot doggers are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

I love your cart – you did an awesome job!

Let’s hear it for Ray in the comments!

-Steve

 

Click the pics for a larger version.

We hot dog cart owners many advantages over brick and mortar restaurants. Lower overhead is usually the first thing that comes to mind, but I contend there are two far greater.

They’re round. They’re black. They’re our WHEELS.

I don’t know about you, but one of the biggest things that drew me to the hot dog cart biz is the freedom. I can’t stand to be tied to one place very long. Maybe it’s because my Dad moved us around so much when I was a kid.

We moved so often that I ended up attending 14 different schools by the time I was finished, and now if stay in one place too long my feet start itching.

I’m also the kind of guy who thinks that no matter how good things are, I should be able to do something to make them even better.

I guess I’m a weird cross between type-A overachiever and gypsy. A business on wheels feels good, right, and very natural to me. I bet you feel the same way.

You get it.

Our wheels are wonderful. They make us mobile. They make us  adaptable. They allow us to go anywhere at a moment’s notice.

And most importantly, unlike the person who opens a brick and mortar restaurant – we don’t have to bet the whole enchilada on picking a good location the first time. Those guys only have one shot at getting it right.

We get as many chances as we need.

Just listen to Dave. He sent me an email this morning and I thought you might get some encouragement from it…

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Steve,
After suffering at three locations that turned out to be dogs, my
“Lunch  Under the Umbrella” has landed in a great location. I’m in a shopping
center directly across from a Northern Tool and Equipment store, a
Babies ‘R Us and an Office Depot.  There are approximately 15 other
smaller stores and a very busy bank in the center.  We’ve only been open
twelve days and we already have customers cashing in their “Buy five
Combos and get the sixth free” punch cards.  Finally the cash is coming
in at a consistent pace.  NOW IT’S FUN!
I’ve attached some photos….
Regards,
Dave Baker
LUNCH UNDER THE UMBRELLA

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Great job Dave! Way to stick it out and find that money spot!

The brick and mortar guys have to nail it on the first try. With us, it’s a completely different strategy – it’s just a numbers game. Try enough different locations and eventually you will find a winner.

We don’t need to be rocket surgeons with  a God given gift for choosing profitable locations. We just have to be willing to use those round, rubber assets of ours.

-Steve

 

Check out Dave’s money spot… click the pictures for a larger version.

Hey Doggers,

What is the secret to reaching your goal of hot dog slingership sooner rather than later?

You must set goals.

No goals = no direction. No one ever wanders aimlessly into a major success.

However, the biggest mistake most folks make when setting goals is making them too general, for example: “I want to get my hot dog cart business up and running.”

That’s way too vague for anyone to get their head around.

Studies have proven that the human brain can only think about an average of seven concepts at one time. I think mine can hold about 2 on a good day ;-).

This means that if you have a complex goal with many different parts, there is absolutely no way to keep them all in the front of your mind – and that’s exactly where they need to be if you are going to have any chance of accomplishing them.

So what can we do to overcome our built in limitations?

Get Chunky!
You need to chunk it down into smaller pieces that you can visualize and attack one by one.

There are actually 27 individual steps that must be accomplished before you can sell your first hot dog. They are listed on page 159 of my book Carts of Cash.

All you have to do is pick one – and then commit to it!

How about a date?

No, not that kind of date, but thanks for asking.

Setting a calendar date is the second key to goal achievement. No date = no urgency. You must give yourself a deadline.

This is not optional. A goal without a date is just a dream.

So chunk it, date it, attack it, then repeat the process.

As you check the tasks off your list you will find yourself gaining momentum and before you know it you will have sold your first hot dog, or your 10,000th, or built your own hot dog cart, or gotten that second or third or twentieth cart out on the streets.

The feeling of accomplishment when you succeed in your own business is indescribably sweet. It changes you. You will never forget it.

So let’s all get chunky together – tell me your goal chunk (make it really specific) and the date you will finish it by in the comments. I think you will find it a powerful jump start to accomplishing something big in 2011.

YOU CAN DO IT. I BELIEVE IN YOU.

-Steve